KVR Audio

nachenko · Post by **nachenko** » Sun May 17, 2020 8:21 am

[Update] First track now uses Native Instruments Stradivari Violin. I'm still working my way to get the most of it, but even with my limited skillset, it sounds AMAZING. Well done, NI!

Hi, everyone. I'm writing this because, while people argue about Native Instruments this and that in the Instruments subforum, mostly pointing out the negative things about the company, I think NI, at it's current form, helps a lot of musicians who need to get things done FAST.

They helped me on that, for sure.

In case anyone cares, I'll explain how Native Instruments saved my ass and helped me win a contest on my way.

Months ago, I participated in the Global Game Jam, a videogame creation contest where you have a weekend to create something according to a concept provided by the organization at the beginning of the event. My work mates (Art and Design school teachers) and a few friends organized two teams. I was the "music guy" around there, so I joined both them.

Due to real life issues (two little children, unavoidable social stuff...), I only had about three-four hours for every team.

So I had to provide the soundtrack and sound effects for two games in eight hours tops. And I mostly do Synthwave, 80's themed retro music.

That's where Native Instruments saved my life, not because of their synths, but because all this stuff that are NOT synths.

Track 1: R-Mindons, a medieval themed videogame about two wizards who throw each other Tetris blocks to break the other wizard's tower. OK, celtic stuff, folk music. WTF! I'm a synth guy! I needed REAL instruments for that. Guitars, strings, horns and drums that can resemble a bodhrán.

Guitar: Session Guitarist Strummed Accoustic. Bass: Scarbee Rickenbacker Bass. Drums: Drum Lab. Strings: Session strings. Horns: Session Horns. Dulcimer: Spitfire Audio Labs. Choir: my own students, poor chaps.

This one won Best Soundtrack.

https://soundcloud.com/manfromspace/celtic-tetris

Track 2: Tank.io, a game about tanks shooting each other for no particular reason. This one won best videogame, BTW. Mindless punk atmosphere, sort of. A bit like Command & Conquer but without the seriousness. Some half old-school futuristic, half ragga-punk would fit. What? I had never written something like that and I can't play guitar. Where the hell was I gonna get that "ragga" guitar.

Electric Guitar: NI Electric Sunburst. Choir: my own students again, there was a special gimmick for games where its participants sing. Everything else: Korg Gadget.

This one won Best Videogame award.

https://soundcloud.com/manfromspace/nod-1

To summarize: I know NI doesn't have the best this or that, but having Komplete helped me deliver in a very short time stuff of acceptable quality, way outside my comfort zone. No, they are not updating FM8 or Absynth. Yes, MassiveX has bugs. Maybe they are becoming a "samples company", I don't know. But those samples saved my ass and helped me win a contest.

Just my two cents.

Thanks for reading.

Shane Sanders · Post by **Shane Sanders** » Sun May 17, 2020 5:06 pm

Congrats on the win! I especially liked the Burundi type beat in the first one (toward the middle while the chanting happens).

nachenko · Post by **nachenko** » Sun May 17, 2020 6:41 pm

Shane Sanders wrote: ↑Sun May 17, 2020 5:06 pm Congrats on the win! I especially liked the Burundi type beat in the first one (toward the middle while the chanting happens).

Thanks for listening!

To be honest, I am absolutely unable to play anything like that live, but man, I love this type of music SO MUCH!

Pacific05 · Post by **Pacific05** » Sun May 17, 2020 10:10 pm

Two great compositions. I love especially 4444. Congratulations.
And yes, I'm with you about NI.

nachenko · Post by **nachenko** » Mon May 18, 2020 6:52 am

Pacific05 wrote: ↑Sun May 17, 2020 10:10 pm Two great compositions. I love especially 4444. Congratulations.
And yes, I'm with you about NI.

Thanks! And thanks for listening!

Bansaw · Post by **Bansaw** » Thu May 21, 2020 1:18 am

Some of NI is good, I own the Giant piano and kept it. I am looking to get hold of their Sunburst Deluxe. Sounds good.
However, some of their other stuff, (e.g. massive X) I don't rate.

nachenko · Post by **nachenko** » Thu Jul 30, 2020 8:52 am

Bansaw wrote: ↑Thu May 21, 2020 1:18 am Some of NI is good, I own the Giant piano and kept it. I am looking to get hold of their Sunburst Deluxe. Sounds good.

Wow, I forgot to reply this, sorry.

I upgraded to Electric Sunburst Deluxe months ago. Totally recommended.

Adrian Earnshaw Music · Thu Jul 30, 2020 4:14 pm

I can tell I've been away a while as I missed these two tracks. Love the snap on those drums in the first track, they really pop and crack. Well done on winning the competitions

nachenko · Post by **nachenko** » Tue Oct 06, 2020 8:54 am

OK, in case someone cares, here's the track, updated to use Native Instruments Stradivari Violin. I'm still a long way from extracting all the juice from it, but even with my limited skillset, it sounds A-MA-ZING.

https://soundcloud.com/manfromspace/celtic-tetris

excuse me please · Post by **excuse me please** » Tue Oct 06, 2020 9:34 am

Spam. Lovely NI spam. Come and see NI spam at KVR Music Cafe. Spam. Lovely spam. NI spam. Who does not love NI spam? Everybody loves NI spam.

nachenko · Post by **nachenko** » Tue Oct 06, 2020 11:32 am

I'm gonna reply without reading.

I blocked you long time ago because there is absolutely nothing worth reading in any of your posts. You are only good at hating stuff for the sake of hating.

Go hate something else somewhere else. Your miserable need for attention will not be fed here.

[Updated] That time Native Instruments saved my ass and helped me win a contest